LETTERS

Thanks to garden club

On behalf of the trustees of the library and the people of Jamestown, I would like to thank the Jamestown Garden Club for the fabulous job they have done, once again, decorating the library for this festive and holy season.

From the beautiful swag at the front door to the heavenly tree in the hallway and the riot of red poinsettias everywhere, the Jamestown library is turned out in seasonal splendor.

Thank you, Jamestown Garden Club, and a special thanks to Joan Taft, the library volunteer who weekly provides the library with new fresh and artificial flower arrangements. The current arrangement at the front desk is not to be missed.

Judith H. Bell,

library director

Many thanks for the ‘push’

As I sit here 1,000 miles from the rock I grew up on, wishing for a meatball “grindah” from Freddie’s, and awaiting Louisville, Ky.’s, first “snow storm” (1 to 2 inches . . . ha!) of the year, I decided to look up my local paper online.

I have to respond to Mrs. Vandal’s letter. First off, on behalf of all those from our little town living abroad . . . You’re welcome. But more importantly . . . We thank you! I am now a 35-yearold man with a son of two years, but at one time I was a little boy looking for a little confidence.

It was Mrs. Vandal — oh heck, I’m grown now — it was Patty who gave me that “push” like she has so many others. Mrs. Vandal for all the little children who are now grown ups . . . Thank you. Your service to this community as a teacher, mentor, and friend will never be forgotten. You always hear teachers say, “If I reach just one child it will be worth it.” Well, you’ve touched thousands, including one misplaced southern Yankee. Christopher L.

Smyth II

Louisville, Ky.

A wonderful time in the Big Apple

We wish to thank the Jamestown Police Officers’ Association for the wonderful trip to New York City on Dec. 9. We had a wonderful time and enjoyed the show at Radio City, especially the Rockettes. They are fabulous. Thank you again. Beverly R. Snyder and

Isabelle Verducci,

Jamestown

LNG impacts on Narragansett Bay

I have been opposed to the LNG facilities proposed by both Keyspan and Weaver’s Cove Energy since they first came to my attention. My opposition has been based on my concerns about the economic and environmental impact as well as the safety concerns highlighted in the Scandia report.

On Dec. 14 and 15, the Army Corps of Engineers will hold public hearings in Fall River and Bristol to solicit comments on the dredging associated with the proposed Weaver’s Cove LNG facility in Fall River. I intend to be there to voice my concerns about the environmental and economic impacts associated with this project and specifically the 2.5 million cubic yards of dredging that will be necessary.

The final environmental impact statement acknowledges that the dredging will negatively affect many species of fish, including winter flounder. I understand that Weaver’s Cove Energy has agreed to observe a dredging window that will restrict the time of year that dredging can occur in order to avoid winter flounder spawning and larval presence and anadromous fish migration. A dredging window will reduce but not eliminate impacts to the fisheries.

Considering that many species, including winter flounder, are already stressed in Mount Hope Bay due to the impacts of the intake at the power plant, I believe that any further impacts are unacceptable. In addition to the turbidity caused by the dredging itself and the associated suspension of contaminants that will affect the fisheries, the dredging will permanently alter 11 acres of winter flounder spawning habitat.

Mount Hope Bay serves as a nursery area for winter flounder and other species that inhabit Rhode Island waters. Although most of the dredging takes place in Massachusetts waters, I believe, as a representative of Rhode Island, that I must express my concerns because the fish that will be effected by this project do not recognize state boundaries.

What happens in Mount Hope Bay will affect the fisheries in Narragansett Bay and Rhode Island’s territorial waters. The applicant has proposed mitigation for the permanent loss of these 11 acres of winter flounder spawning habitat. However, there has been no analysis in the FEIS of the economic losses associated with either short or long term impacts to the fisheries. In my opinion, if we consider the historical value of winter flounder to the economy and cultural heritage of both Massachusetts and Rhode Island, the proposed $500,000 mitigation is woefully inadequate.

The impacts to fisheries that will be caused by the dredging proposed by Weaver’s Cove Energy distresses me. It is not the only concern that I have about this project. I encourage my constituents to join me at the public hearings to let the Army Corps of Engineers know that we care about our fisheries, our environment as a whole, our economy, and our quality of life. Sincerely,

Bruce J. Long Representative – District 74, Jamestown, Middletown Many made village tree possible

About the Jamestown Tree Lighting: As the coordinator of the ceremony I would like to thank everyone who helped in this wonderful community event, but first, respond to the letter last week suggesting that raising a different Christmas tree every year is frustrating and wasteful. While I also dislike taking down the tree every January, it is only because another Christmas has passed and due to the bitter sweetness of storing the ornaments for another year. But wasteful this tradition is not. Every year we get calls from Jamestown residents who have a tree in their yard that, were it not decorated with ornaments and twinkling with lights for about 30 days in December, would simply go the way of the chipper. Some donors actually keep trees standing specifically to donate them to the ceremony.

I would like to thank the many folks who helped prepare for this event which for many of us is the beginning of the Christmas season. I’ll be able to mention only a few names. Victor Calabretta and Winston Knight once again helped trim the tree, a beautiful blue spruce generously donated by Mr. and Mrs. Marino.

In helping erect the tree at East Ferry, Conanicut Marine and the volunteers came through again and they included Doug Chapman, Mike Clark, Steve Froberg, Bill Munger, Steve Munger, and Dick Wing. Matt Largess of Largess Forestry brought his skill and tree knowledge to the team. In working with the stage, I would like to thank the Jamestown recreation department and the logistical maestro, Keith Anderson. Nor could we have done without the good humor, strong backs, and ready hands of John Baldwin, Tim Dwyer, and Andrew Kallfelz.

The evening of the event there were many volunteers who were of tremendous help including Janet Smith and the Women’s Club, B.J. Whitehouse and the Jamestown Chorus, and Faith Kaplan of the Jamestown tree trimming ensemble.

Last but by no means least, thanks to the Jamestown Chamber of Commerce and the Lions Club for their generous support. Thanks everyone, and lets do it again next year.

Mark Baker,

Jamestown

6th grade trip thanks

The sixth-grade students recently participated in Project Adventure at the URI Alton Jones Campus. This trip would not be possible without the generosity of the following organizations: Jamestown Women’s Club, Jamestown Substance Abuse Prevention Task Force, Jamestown School PTO, and the Jamestown Rotary Club. Thank you for your support.

We would also like to thank the following fathers who helped chaperone: Mr. Gomez, Mr. Morris, Mr. Sheppard, Mr. Fay, Mr. Page, Mr. Ouimette, and Mr. Rosa. We certainly appreciate sleep you forfeited by agreeing to stay in the boys’ cabins overnight.